Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    OLYMPIAN Shawn Bellon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    984
    Rep Power
    176870

    Default K.I.S.S. (A Beginners Guide)

    Bodybuilders and strength athletes are always saying you have to train past failure to make good strength and size gains. What do they mean? There are a number of different ways of going beyond the pain barrier in order to work a muscle as much as possible, all of which take dedication and enthusiastic training, with the absolute want to make gains. The aim of a workout is to stimulate as many muscle fibres in the muscle as possible, and to do this the muscle must be trained to complete exhaustion.

    Some of us think we train hard. I used to think so, but looking back that was only at a level of about 80% of how hard I train now. Even if your diet is perfect, and you take quality anabolic aids, you will not grow if you don't give it 100% in the gym. And 100% means 100%, i.e. until you physically (not psychologically) cannot do anymore.

    Some bodybuilders claim they train better without a partner, but most find they need one, not only for encouragement, but to give assistance in order to do a few more reps after reaching failure on a weight.

    Ways of training beyond failure are discussed below, many of which require assistance from a training partner:

    Forced reps
    Train to failure, then get a spot to assist you in lifting a few more reps out, but keep your form strict.

    Drop sets or stripdowns
    This is where you train to failure with a weight, then immediately use a lighter weight. Typically triple-drops are used, but there's no reason not to go all out sometimes and drop until hardly any weight is being lifted, going to failure on each weight.

    Negative reps
    Positive failure is where it is no longer possible to lift the weight. This is reached before negative failure, which is where it is no longer possible to control the negative movement of the weight. Here, after you have reached positive failure, your training partner will lift the weight, and you have to control it on the way down for a few reps.

    Negative resistance reps
    This is where, after positive failure, your training partner lifts the positive part of the movement and then pushes the weight down lightly and you have to try to resist the force. For example, in biceps curls, do a set until positive failure, then your partner lifts the weight up to your shoulders; he then applies some downward pressure while you attempt to keep the weight in the curled position. Be careful with these as they can cause injury - keep your form strict, only do 2-3 reps like this and only do them occasionally.

    Cheat reps
    Obviously, cheating should be discouraged, and try to keep perfect form on all exercises to minimise risk of injury and maximise isolation effort on the muscle. However, if you have reached failure with perfect form, cheat reps performed carefully can help you squeeze an extra few reps out and go beyond failure.

    Rest-pause or extended set
    I don't see many trainers using this method, but it's very simple and effective. Simply train a set to failure, put the weight down, shake off the pain, then pick the same weight up and go again, 2-3 times.

    Half reps or partials
    When you cannot do another full rep, do a few more with just half the movement; as this is still stimulating the muscle.

    Supersets
    Two or more different exercises may be performed in succession with no rest in between. This may be two exercises for the same muscle group, or 2 for antagonistic muscles (I feel the latter is not very effective, as you cannot give your all for the second muscle after training the first set to failure).

    Pre-exhaust
    In a workout, to maximise exertion on a muscle, try performing isolation exercises before compound movements. This will ensure that the muscle in question will be well worked from the isolation movement, so during the compound movement it will tire before other muscles, so is maximally worked. This principle is more appropriate for bodybuilders and not strength trainers.

    Different ways of training beyond failure can be incorporated together in the same set. For example in bench pressing: Train to positive failure, followed by 2-3 forced reps with your training partner; put the weight down, and strip some weight off and go again with the same principle as a triple drop; after the last drop try banging out 10 half reps. Precede bench press by dumbbell flyes, so the isolation movement is first.

    My philosophy is, it doesn't matter how you train as long as you are genuinely training to maximum effort, and you are training safely.

    Do enough warm ups as needed but I think 1-2 should be enough. The listed workouts are for 1 set to failure. You can use different intensity techniques that are listed above. Don’t use more than 3 techniques per workout to avoid overtraining.

    Day 1:

    Full Squats - 15-20 reps

    Dumbell Pullovers – 10-12 reps

    Behind Neck Press - 10 reps

    Chins - 10 reps

    Dips - 12 reps

    Barbell Curls - 10 reps

    Shrugs - 15 reps

    Stiff-Legged Deadlifts - 15 reps


    Day Two

    Deadlift (can use dumbbells, straight leg, Romanian or Rack) - 8-10 reps

    Squat (low bar, power stance) – 6-10 reps

    Leg Press or Hacks (feet low on platform and straight ahead) – 15-25 reps

    Bench Press – 15 reps

    Push Press – 8-10 reps

    Pulldowns (close grip) – 8-12 reps

    Shrug – 15-25 reps

    Dumbbell Overhead Press

    Hammer Curls – 8-15 reps

    Triceps Pressdown – 12-15 reps


    Day 3

    One-repetition chin-up (30 seconds up, 30 seconds down) immediately followed by:

    Biceps Curl – 8-12 reps

    One-repetition dip (30 up, 30 down) immediately followed by:

    Triceps extensions (barbell or dumbbell) – 8-12 reps

    Leg press – 20 reps

    Calf Raise – 25-30 reps

    Lateral Raise with dumbbells – 12-15 reps

    Shoulder Press (barbell or dumbbells) – 20 reps

    Row (barbell or seated or machine) – 12-15 reps

    Bench Press ( dumbbells on decline or incline bench) – 8-12 reps

    At the end of every workout do:

    Crunches on ball ( 4 sets to failure with 20 secs rest between sets)

    Cardio:
    Do 20-35 minutes of cardio on alternating days that you train


    SUPPLEMENTS
    BCAA
    VIT-B COMPLEX
    MULTI-VIT. (USE SOLORAY OR NATURES BEST BRANDS)
    VIT-C
    GLUTAMINE
    BROMALAINE (digestive enzyme for protein)
    FLAX OIL

    If you do not have any MRP (meal replacement powders) make your own with protein powder, peanut butter and ground oatmeal.


    OPTIONS TO PLUG INTO YOUR DIET:

    Cereal
    Skim milk
    Honey
    Yogurt
    Protein Shake (40-60g protein) - Separate
    Fill half the bowl with cereal
    Add milk until it reaches top of cereal (not too much)
    Add yogurt
    Fill rest of plate with cereal
    Add more milk
    Cover cereal with honey
    Eat up, and don't be afraid to go for seconds.

    Breakfast
    Protein Pancakes
    1 cup of Oatmeal
    11 egg whites
    1 whole egg
    1 packet of sugar free jello
    Stir together in a mixing bowl
    Cook on a frying pan
    (49gP, 54gC, 6gF)

    Lunch
    Chicken Burger
    300g Chicken Breast
    400g Turkish Bread
    Lettuce
    Tomato
    Mayonnaise
    Cheese
    Lemon Pepper
    Cook Chicken Breast
    Cut Turkish Bread in half
    Put Mayonnaise on Bread
    After Chicken is cooked Place on bottom half of Bread
    Place Cheese on top of Chicken
    Add Lettuce and Tomatoes
    Before closing the topside of the Bread add Lemon Pepper.

    Lunch
    Tuna Patties
    1 can tuna
    1 onion
    tablespoon of salt
    � teaspoon of pepper
    � teaspoon of parsley
    3 medium potatoes (boiled and mashed)
    1 tablespoon of Butter
    Mix potatoes, tuna, Onions, Slat, Pepper and Parsley.
    Make into Patties
    Fry in butter until brown and heated on both sides
    Serve with veggies or salad

    Dinner
    4 whole eggs
    4 egg whites
    2 cups of cooked rice
    Half a block of cheese/cottage cheese (melted)
    Cook up, mix all together, enjoy.
    Dinner
    Chicken Breast
    Some Chunky Tomatoes
    Spicy Chili Beans
    � onion (chopped)
    Cut Chicken Breast into skillets
    Cook Chicken Breast and Onions
    Stir in Tomatoes and Chili Beans
    Cook uncovered for a further 10 minutes
    Serve and sprinkle with Low Fat Cheese

    After Workout
    Shake
    500ml of milk
    2 eggs
    200g low fat yogurt
    1-cup oats
    2 tablespoons of peanut butter
    3 tablespoons of honey
    2 bananas
    1 teaspoon of flaxseed oil
    2 serves of protein powder (40g)
    Everything you need plus more.

    After Workout
    Shake
    2 scoops of you protein powder
    3 tablespoons of cottage cheese
    1 serve of low fat yogurt
    For a change to your usual shake
    Before Bed
    Protein powder shake
    Protein powder (40g Protein all up)
    Ice Cream
    Either blend all together into a thick shake or have the ice-cream separate.

    Snack
    Tuna Cheese
    1 can of tuna
    1 serve of cottage cheese
    Mix together and eat
    Provides an easy way to get the tuna down and doesn't taste to bad either
    SHAWNBELLON.COM
    Online Strength Coach

  2. #2
    GYM RAT Rush's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    England
    Posts
    111
    Rep Power
    2584

    Thumbs up

    Thanks for posting this,

    Just the type of workout i am looking for, really simple with a focus on getting progressively stronger.

    Sick legs dude

  3. #3
    OLYMPIAN Shawn Bellon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    984
    Rep Power
    176870

    Default

    You are welcome. I use this with clients to give them the overall of what you can do to get started. It always seems overwhelming when you dont know where to start so this covers the basic pretty well. It's certainly a start.
    SHAWNBELLON.COM
    Online Strength Coach

  4. #4
    PENCILNECK
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Fort Wayne IN Anytime Fitness
    Posts
    10
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    This looks strangly Familiar....

  5. #5
    NOVICE p1nkangel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Belfast, Northern Ireland
    Posts
    45
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Thanks for posting the workout and diet.

    As a female beginner I have a few questions...how do I first choose what weight to start of with? Do I pick a weight that feels comfortable then do the reps, then if I find its too easy up the weight next time and so on until I get a weight I can acheive failure on?

    Also the eating plan...how would I work that for me as a female? Should I halve that or two thirds it?

    I apologise for all these questions, they're probably ones that you tend to have to answer over and over again for beginners.
    I'd appreciate any help with this.

    Thanks
    Lavinia

  6. #6
    Glenda Bozett
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by p1nkangel View Post
    Thanks for posting the workout and diet.

    As a female beginner I have a few questions...how do I first choose what weight to start of with? Do I pick a weight that feels comfortable then do the reps, then if I find its too easy up the weight next time and so on until I get a weight I can acheive failure on?

    Also the eating plan...how would I work that for me as a female? Should I halve that or two thirds it?

    I apologise for all these questions, they're probably ones that you tend to have to answer over and over again for beginners.
    I'd appreciate any help with this.

    Thanks
    Lavinia

    Choose a weight that you are comfortable with, do one set of 15 reps. ( rest 30 seconds in between sets ) continue with two more sets of 15 reps. if you dont get too fatigue after 3 sets; the next time you do that exercise add 5 lbs. more. Walk your way up at a safe pace.

    The eating plan is base on your goals, are you trying to lose weight or gain?

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

X vBulletin 4.2.3 Debug Information

  • Page Generation 0.18192 seconds
  • Memory Usage 6,989KB
  • Queries Executed 25 (?)
More Information
Template Usage (43):
  • (1)SHOWTHREAD
  • (1)ad_footer_end
  • (1)ad_footer_start
  • (1)ad_global_above_footer
  • (1)ad_global_below_navbar
  • (1)ad_global_header1
  • (1)ad_global_header2
  • (1)ad_navbar_below
  • (1)ad_showthread_firstpost_sig
  • (1)ad_showthread_firstpost_start
  • (1)ad_thread_first_post_content
  • (1)ad_thread_last_post_content
  • (1)bbcode_quote
  • (4)block_html
  • (1)block_threads
  • (1)facebook_footer
  • (1)facebook_header
  • (1)facebook_likebutton
  • (1)facebook_opengraph
  • (1)footer
  • (1)forumjump
  • (1)forumrules
  • (1)gobutton
  • (1)header
  • (1)headinclude
  • (1)headinclude_bottom
  • (1)im_aim
  • (1)im_msn
  • (2)im_skype
  • (6)memberaction_dropdown
  • (1)navbar
  • (4)navbar_link
  • (1)navbar_noticebit
  • (1)navbar_tabs
  • (3)option
  • (6)postbit_legacy
  • (5)postbit_onlinestatus
  • (6)postbit_wrapper
  • (3)showthread_bookmarksite
  • (1)sidebarext_temp
  • (1)spacer_close
  • (1)spacer_open
  • (1)tagbit_wrapper 

Phrase Groups Available (6):
  • global
  • inlinemod
  • postbit
  • posting
  • reputationlevel
  • showthread
Included Files (37):
  • ./showthread.php
  • ./global.php
  • ./includes/class_bootstrap.php
  • ./includes/init.php
  • ./includes/class_core.php
  • ./includes/config.php
  • ./includes/functions.php
  • ./includes/functions_navigation.php
  • ./includes/class_friendly_url.php
  • ./includes/class_hook.php
  • ./includes/class_bootstrap_framework.php
  • ./vb/vb.php
  • ./vb/phrase.php
  • ./includes/class_facebook.php
  • ./includes/facebook/facebook.php
  • ./includes/facebook/base_facebook.php
  • ./includes/functions_facebook.php
  • ./includes/functions_bigthree.php
  • ./includes/class_postbit.php
  • ./includes/class_bbcode.php
  • ./includes/functions_reputation.php
  • ./includes/class_block.php
  • ./includes/block/html.php
  • ./vb/context.php
  • ./vb/cache.php
  • ./vb/cache/db.php
  • ./vb/cache/observer/db.php
  • ./vb/cache/observer.php
  • ./includes/functions_notice.php
  • ./includes/block/threads.php
  • ./packages/vbattach/attach.php
  • ./vb/types.php
  • ./packages/skimlinks/hooks/postbit_display_complete.php
  • ./packages/skimlinks/hooks/showthread_complete.php
  • ./mobiquo/smartbanner.php
  • ./mobiquo/include/classTTConnection.php
  • ./mobiquo/smartbanner/head.inc.php 

Hooks Called (74):
  • init_startup
  • database_pre_fetch_array
  • database_post_fetch_array
  • friendlyurl_resolve_class
  • global_bootstrap_init_start
  • global_bootstrap_init_complete
  • cache_permissions
  • fetch_threadinfo_query
  • fetch_threadinfo
  • fetch_foruminfo
  • load_show_variables
  • load_forum_show_variables
  • global_state_check
  • global_bootstrap_complete
  • global_start
  • style_fetch
  • global_setup_complete
  • showthread_start
  • cache_templates
  • cache_templates_process
  • template_register_var
  • template_render_output
  • fetch_template_start
  • fetch_template_complete
  • friendlyurl_clean_fragment
  • friendlyurl_geturl
  • fb_canonical_url
  • fb_opengraph_array
  • parse_templates
  • fetch_musername
  • notices_check_start
  • notices_noticebit
  • process_templates_complete
  • showthread_getinfo
  • strip_bbcode
  • forumjump
  • friendlyurl_redirect_canonical
  • showthread_post_start
  • showthread_query_postids
  • showthread_query
  • bbcode_fetch_tags
  • bbcode_create
  • showthread_postbit_create
  • postbit_factory
  • postbit_display_start
  • reputation_power
  • reputation_image
  • bbcode_parse_start
  • postbit_imicons
  • bbcode_parse_complete_precache
  • bbcode_parse_complete
  • postbit_display_complete
  • memberaction_dropdown
  • tag_fetchbit_complete
  • forumrules
  • showthread_bookmarkbit
  • navbits
  • navbits_complete
  • build_navigation_data
  • build_navigation_array
  • check_navigation_permission
  • process_navigation_links_start
  • process_navigation_links_complete
  • set_navigation_menu_element
  • build_navigation_menudata
  • build_navigation_listdata
  • build_navigation_list
  • set_navigation_tab_main
  • set_navigation_tab_fallback
  • navigation_tab_complete
  • fb_publish_checkbox
  • fb_like_button
  • showthread_complete
  • page_templates